Burglar has sex with corpse after breaking into funeral home and lifting lids of 'multiple coffins'

Kasim Khuram told to expect ‘substantial’ jail term after pleading guilty

A burglar has admitted to having sex with a corpse after lifting the lids of “multiple coffins” at a funeral parlour in Birmingham.

Kasim Khuram pleaded guilty to sexual penetration of a dead body at the Central England Co-operative Funeralcare home in November. The 23-year-old also admitted burglary of the funeral home, breaking into the building with the intention of stealing.

The judge at Birmingham Crown Court adjourned Khuram’s sentencing for a psychiatric report until 31 January, but warned the defendant he was facing a “substantial” term in jail.

Khuram, who appeared in custody flanked by a security officer, touched his chest and gave the thumbs-up to supporters in the public gallery during a 10-minute hearing. Relatives of the deceased were in court during the hearing.

A Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) spokesman said Khuram “forced open the door” of the home around 3am on 11 November.

The court heard that he was briefly sectioned under mental health laws on arrest, after officers alerted by the funeral parlour’s alarm turned up to find him still at the scene.

“While inside the funeral home the defendant lifted the lids of multiple coffins and sexually penetrated one of the corpses,” the CPS spokesman said.

Baljinder Kaur, from the CPS, said: “This is an unusual case and it is difficult to imagine a more distressing violation of a loved one. On the strength of the case built by the police and CPS the defendant ultimately pleaded guilty and will now have to face the consequences. Our thoughts are with the families of the deceased.”

A Central England Co-operative spokesman said: “Our primary concern is for the families we serve and the welfare of our funeral colleagues who have all been deeply affected by this incredibly disturbing and unprecedented event.

Judge Francis Laird QC said he would allow Khuram’s solicitors time to present a medical report to the court.

But he added that Khuram "must be under no illusion that you will receive a sentence of imprisonment for your offending in this case - a substantial sentence of imprisonment."

Additional reporting by Press Association